I Pray Not

Have you ever wondered who was the first person to pray? Since prayer is a conversation with God, it makes sense that Adam and Eve were the first humans to speak with God. After all, God walked with them in the Garden. I wonder what those early conversations between Adam and God were like and all the questions Adam must have had that he couldn’t wait to ask his Maker.

In the Old Testament, prayer is much more than the reciting of renowned phrases. We see the patriarchs, like Abraham, and the prophets, like Jeremiah, cry out to God, pouring their hearts and souls out to Him. How I wished that my prayers were more like that more often.

The people of ancient biblical times believed in the power of prayer and in the ability of God to deliver them from their trials and troubles, even before Jesus came on the scene as God on Earth Walking Among Us.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

Jesus, the son of God, obviously believed in the power of prayer. He prayed often, cherishing the conversations he had with his Father. His prayer in John 17 is one every Christian should read often. Maybe, we should even take time to commit the passage to memory.

When we pray, we are lifting our voices to God. He hears us, although He may not always give us the response we desire to hear. He delights in us when we seek Him out in prayer. Prayer, is similar to picking up the phone and calling our Mom or Dad and checking in to see how things are going and sharing with them what’s happening in our world. We only have to recall the heartfelt conversations we’ve had with our loved ones to get a glimpse of what it’s like to talk to the God of the Universe. The Lord cares deeply about us. He loves you and me.

Jerusalem will be told:
    “Don’t be afraid.
Dear Zion,
    don’t despair.
Your God is present among you,
    a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love
    and delight you with his songs.Zephaniah 3:16-17 (The Message)

In our society, many people question, if not outright deny, the power of prayer. This is noteworthy, since people were once considered to be “praying animals.” Growing up as a child, people prayed around the family dinner table, just like they do on TV’s “Blue Bloods.” It was common place to see people praying in public while dining in restaurants. Back then, it was unusual if you didn’t see people praying. Sadly, today, it is far too common seeing people not praying.

Have we become so hardened or so cynical that we no longer believe in the power of prayer or in the value of talking to God?

I pray not.

Blessings.